New Jersey Supreme Court reprimands Morris County judge

The state Supreme Court today reprimanded Morris County municipal court judge Arnold Miniman for issuing a temporary restraining order to the woman who runs his office.

Miniman admitted in April that he improperly got involved in a domestic violence matter involving Linda Cook, a court administrator he supervises.

Cook had discussed with Miniman difficulties in her relationship days before she went to police headquarters to seek the temporary restraining order against Martin Struble, according to the complaint.

After the order was made final in Superior Court, Struble appealed, charging Miniman should have disqualified himself because his professional relationship with Cook presented a clear conflict of interest.

In October, appeals court judges agreed and reversed the restraining order. The panel also ordered another municipal court judge begin the process anew.

Miniman, who works in five Morris County towns, declined to comment yesterday on the Supreme Court reprimand.